1. Overview – Are STRs Allowed in Clarks Hill?

• Short‑term rentals are permitted in Clarks Hill, but they are regulated at the county (Edgefield) and state (South Carolina) level.
• Clarks Hill is an unincorporated community; there is no municipal (city‑level) ordinance that expressly bans or imposes special licensing on STRs.
• Operators must comply with Edgefield County zoning and use‑requirements, obtain the standard business license, register for state accommodations tax, and meet all safety and health standards that apply to transient lodging statewide.

Bottom line: If the property is zoned for residential use and you obtain the required county and state permits, you may operate an STR legally.

2. How to Start an STR Business in the Clarks Hill Market

| Step | Action | Why It Matters | |------|--------|----------------| | 1. Verify Zoning & Land‑Use | Confirm with Edgefield County Planning & Zoning that the parcel is zoned for “single‑family residential” or “multi‑family residential” and that transient lodging is a permitted accessory use. | Zoning violations can result in cease‑and‑desist orders and fines. | | 2. Obtain a County Business License | Apply through the Edgefield County Business License Office (online or in‑person). Provide proof of property ownership or lease, a site plan, and the intended use description. | Required before you can collect any guest fees. | | 3. Register for State Accommodations Tax | Create a South Carolina Department of Revenue (DOR) account for “Transient Accommodations.” Pay the 6 % state accommodations tax plus any applicable local (county) tax (up to 1 %). | SC law mandates tax collection and remittance on all transient rentals. | | 4. Secure Required Safety & Health Inspections | Schedule an inspection with the Edgefield County Fire Marshal and (if applicable) the SC Department of Health & Environmental Control (DHEC) for smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguishers, and occupancy limits (max 8 occupants per dwelling). | Ensures guest safety and compliance with SC fire‑code requirements. | | 5. Purchase STR‑Specific Insurance | Obtain a policy that covers property damage, liability, loss of rental income, and guest injuries. Standard homeowners policies typically exclude short‑term rentals. | Protects your investment and satisfies most platform requirements (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.). | | 6. Create a Local Contact & Emergency‑Response Plan | Provide the county with a 24‑hour contact person and a written plan for handling emergencies, noise complaints, and trash removal. | Required by county ordinance for all short‑term lodging operators. | | 7. Register with Online Platforms | Once all permits are in hand, list the property on Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, etc., using your STR permit number as required by each platform. | Many platforms now verify permit numbers before publishing listings. | | 8. Ongoing Compliance | File monthly/quarterly accommodations‑tax reports with the SC DOR, renew the county business license annually, and keep inspection certificates current. | Avoids penalties and keeps the business in good standing. |

3. Required Documents, Permits, Licenses & Guidelines

| Document / Permit | Issuing Authority | How to Obtain | Renewal | |-------------------|-------------------|---------------|----------| | Zoning Confirmation Letter | Edgefield County Planning & Zoning | Submit property address and parcel ID; fee ≈ $25 (if required) | Not required; reference only | | Business License (General & Transient Rental) | Edgefield County Business License Office | Online application → pay fee (≈ $50 + $5 per $1,000 of gross rental income) | Annual | | Transient Accommodations Tax Registration | South Carolina Department of Revenue (DOR) | Register online; receive tax ID (e.g., “TA‑12345”) | Ongoing (renew if ownership changes) | | Fire‑Safety Inspection Certificate | Edgefield County Fire Marshal | Schedule inspection; ensure smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguisher, egress, and occupancy limits meet code | Annual or per change of occupancy | | DHEC Health & Safety Certification (if required for multi‑unit or > 4 guests) | SC Department of Health & Environmental Control | Application for “Transient Lodging” health permit; may involve water‑quality testing | Annual | | STR Operator Contact Form | Edgefield County Planning & Zoning | Provide 24‑hour contact, emergency plan, and property manager details | Update as needed | | Insurance Policy (STR‑Specific) | Private insurer (e.g., Proper Insurance, Allstate, State Farm) | Quote & bind coverage; include liability, property, loss‑of‑rental‑income | Annual (or per policy terms) | | Business Tax Return (Accommodations Tax) | South Carolina DOR | File electronically each reporting period (monthly/quarterly) | Ongoing | | Local County Accommodations Tax (if any) | Edgefield County Treasurer | Register & remit any local tax (up to 1 %) on gross rentals | Ongoing |

Tip: Keep a digital folder with scanned copies of every permit, inspection, and tax filing. Most platforms ask for proof of permits during onboarding.

4. Specific Regulations – City, County & State

4.1. City (Clarks Hill) – No City‑Specific Ordinance

• Because Clarks Hill is an unincorporated community, there is no municipal short‑term‑rental ordinance. All regulations flow from the county and state.

4.2. County (Edgefield County)

• Zoning: Short‑term rentals are allowed as an accessory use in residential zones, provided the primary use remains “single‑family dwelling.”
• Business License: Required for any activity that generates gross receipts; fee structure is tiered by rental income.
• Local Accommodations Tax: Edgefield County can levy up to 1 % on gross rental revenue (adopted by the County Council).
• Safety Inspections: Annual fire‑safety inspection mandatory for any dwelling that rents for fewer than 30 consecutive days.
• Contact Requirement: Must maintain a local contact person who can respond to complaints within 2 hours.

4.3. State (South Carolina)

• Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT): 6 % state tax on the gross rental amount; payable to the SC DOR.
• Accommodations Tax Reporting: Monthly or quarterly filing (based on volume); non‑compliance results in penalties of 10 % per month plus interest.
• Occupancy Limits: No explicit cap on the number of guests, but fire‑code and local zoning typically limit occupancy to 8 persons per dwelling (or per bedroom, if more restrictive).
• Safety Requirements: Smoke detectors in every bedroom, carbon‑monoxide detectors near sleeping areas, a minimum of one fire extinguisher on each level, and a clearly posted emergency‑exit plan.
• Liability Insurance: Strongly recommended; some platforms require a minimum $1 M liability coverage.

References:

• South Carolina DOR – Transient Accommodations Tax – dor.sc.gov/taxes/accommodations (see “Transient Accommodations”).
• Proper Insurance – South Carolina STR Overview – www.proper.insure/south-carolina-airbnb-laws (highlights that Summerville, Charleston, Mt. Pleasant have city ordinances; Edgefield County follows the state framework).

5. Contact Information – Local Authority for STRs

| Department | Phone | Email | Website / Portal | |------------|-------|-------|------------------| | Edgefield County Planning & Zoning | (803) 637‑3280 | planning@edgefieldcounty.sc.gov | www.edgefieldcounty.sc.gov/departments/planning-and-development | | Edgefield County Business License Office | (803) 637‑3280 (ext. 210) | businesslicense@edgefieldcounty.sc.gov | www.edgefieldcounty.sc.gov/business-license | | South Carolina Department of Revenue – Taxpayer Services | (803) 734‑7200 | (online contact form) | dor.sc.gov/contact | | Edgefield County Fire Marshal | (803) 637‑3280 (ext. 215) | fire@edgefieldcounty.sc.gov | www.edgefieldcounty.sc.gov/fire-department | | SC Department of Health & Environmental Control – Transient Lodging | (803) 898‑3432 | dhec@dhec.sc.gov | scdhec.gov/food‑safety‑and‑lodging/transient‑lodging |

Note: For immediate issues (e.g., illegal STR operation, safety complaints), the County Sheriff’s Office can be reached at (803) 637‑3270.

6. Links to Source Pages (for verification)

| Source | URL | Relevance | |--------|-----|-----------| | Booking.com – “Laws and regulations for short‑term rentals” (global overview) | partner.booking.com/en-gb/legal-resources/laws-and-regulations-short-term-rentals | Provides context that jurisdictions worldwide have STR rules; SC is included in the U.S. list. | | Proper Insurance – South Carolina STR Laws | www.proper.insure/south-carolina-airbnb-laws | Lists South Carolina cities with ordinances; confirms the state’s accommodations‑tax framework. | | South Carolina Department of Revenue – Transient Accommodations Tax | dor.sc.gov/taxes/accommodations | Official tax registration, filing, and rate information. | | Edgefield County – Planning & Development Department | www.edgefieldcounty.sc.gov/departments/planning-and-development | Zoning verification, permits, and contact details. | | Edgefield County – Business License Office | www.edgefieldcounty.sc.gov/business-license | License application, fee schedule, and renewal process. | | South Carolina Fire Code (NFPA‑101) – Summary for Transient Lodging | www.sc.gov/agency/fire‑marshal.html (SC State Fire Marshal) | Required safety equipment and inspection standards. |

Quick Checklist for a New STR Investor in Clarks Hill

• ☐ Verify zoning with Edgefield County Planning.
• ☐ Obtain Edgefield County Business License (include “Transient Rental” description).
• ☐ Register for SC DOR Transient Accommodations Tax.
• ☐ Schedule and pass fire‑safety inspection.
• ☐ Secure STR‑specific insurance (≥ $1 M liability).
• ☐ Designate a local 24‑hour contact and submit emergency‑response plan.
• ☐ Keep copies of all permits, tax IDs, and insurance in a digital folder.
• ☐ Set up monthly/quarterly tax filings and annual license renewal reminders.

By following the steps above and maintaining ongoing compliance with county and state regulations, you can launch and operate a short‑term rental in Clarks Hill legally, safely, and profitably.